Last Updated on July 27, 2026
New Social Care Institute for Excellence (SCIE) research findings published today explore how inequities shape social care experiences. Drawing on the experiences of people who draw on care and unpaid carers, the research considers how factors like disability, income, where people live, ethnicity, age and gender all affect the care people get. It also shows how problems in accessing care can build up over time: difficulties faced early on can make it harder to get the right help later.
The research puts forward that inequity in adult social care is frequently experienced as an unequal burden of work, going beyond differences in access or provision between areas. According to SCIE, what this research adds is an understanding of how inequities accumulate across people's journeys through adult social care. People did not usually experience geography, income, disability, ethnicity, digital exclusion or system complexity as separate issues. These factors interacted over time, with each barrier making the next stage of finding, accessing and sustaining care harder.
Participants described having to repeatedly explain their circumstances, chase information, coordinate support, prove need, navigate unclear processes and challenge decisions. These experiences were often felt as stress, frustration and fatigue.
The research also highlights that the system places substantial demands on people and unpaid carers, but those demands are not equally manageable. People with money, confidence, digital access, family advocacy or professional knowledge are often better placed to overcome them and can shape support around their needs. Others are more likely to accept unsuitable support, rely on unpaid care, go without support altogether or disengage from services.
The findings also reveal an emotional dimension to inequity. Participants spoke about worrying whether they deserved care, not wanting to burden family members or the system, fearing that support could be reduced or withdrawn, and feeling misunderstood.
Participants were also clear about what good care looks like. They valued being listened to, being known as an individual, continuity in relationships, trust and support that reflects their lives, preferences and goals. These relational aspects of care were consistently associated with better experiences and greater feelings of control.
The research points towards several priorities for policymakers, commissioners, providers and system leaders:
- A named point of contact who can help people navigate the system.
- Greater continuity and consistency of carers.
- Clearer and more proactive information about eligibility and available support.
- Better coordination and information-sharing between services.
- More consistent provision between areas.
- Investment in workforce pay, skills, stability and retention.
- Greater use of trusted community organisations and culturally and linguistically appropriate support.
According to SCIE, these measures should be embedded into a future National Care Service.
Commenting on the research findings, Gerard Crofton-Martin, Interim Chief Executive at SCIE, said, 'As the Government considers the future of adult social care through the Casey Commission and the development of a National Care Service, questions of fairness, consistency and equity are becoming increasingly important.
'Our new research demonstrates that when it comes to care, choice and control are not experienced equally. This means that good quality care remains out of reach for many people, leaving them with unmet needs.
'People told us what would make a real difference to their lives: a named point of contact, greater continuity and consistency of carers, clearer information, better coordination between services, more consistent provision between areas, investment in the workforce, and greater use of trusted community organisations and culturally and linguistically appropriate support.
'Their experiences should help shape the policy solutions needed to build a fairer National Care Service.'
To read the report and research findings, visit SCIE's website.
In other news, a newly-established body is set to represent care workers in England during upcoming negotiations on pay and working conditions.